Native Vegetation Removal
Approximately 80 percent of East Gippsland Shire is still largely covered by native vegetation, considerably more so than most other areas within Victoria.
However, the region is still at risk of serious land and water degradation due to salinity, erosion, and sediment movement. Various planning overlays are therefore in place to limit this risk.
When considering a proposal that requires the removal of native vegetation, three steps must be followed:
1. Avoid the need to remove native vegetation (consider redesigning the proposal, or relocating it)
2. Minimise what needs to be removed (locate proposal where vegetation is sparsest, avoid large trees, etc)
3. Offset the vegetation to be removed in order to achieve a net gain (this is usually through replanting and/or protecting remnant vegetation).
Information demonstrating the three-step approach must accompany the application and for larger proposals, a Habitat Hectare* assessment may be required. For further information, refer to 'Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A Framework for Action', or contact the Native Vegetation Officer at the Department of Sustainability and Environment or Council’s Natural Resource Planner.
Depending on the proposals and land tenure additional approvals may be required. You may also need to check with the owner/manager of the adjoining property before carrying out any vegetation removal. For properties adjoining Shire roadsides please contact the Shire’s Infrastructure Department.
It is also important to keep detailed records of any vegetation removal that has occurred on your land when exemptions apply. Landowners may still be liable for vegetation removed if there is no detailed record keeping.
Changes to Native Vegetation Removal – VC49 Amendment
On the 15 September 2008 Amendment VC49 was incorporated into all Planning Schemes across Victoria.
Many activities involving vegetation removal will not require a planning permit. However there are many varying planning controls that may be applicable to your land that will affect what can be done.
Please view the East Gippsland Planning Scheme for further information.
Contact the Shire to determine exactly what controls apply to your land before starting vegetation removal. Failure to do so may result in a fine, having to remove any buildings or works constructed on the cleared area and replacement of the vegetation that has been removed.
Further Information
Various Practice Notes and information can be accessed to assist in planning permit approvals for native vegetation removal.
If in any doubt contact Council’s Planning Department on 5153 9500
*Habitat Hectare - A site-based measure of quality and quantity of native vegetation that is assessed in the context of the relevant native vegetation type, consistently measured across the state.
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